Essex Book Festival Launched

PUBLISHED: 10:12 31 December 2008 | UPDATED: 21:38 31 May 2010

THE Essex Book Festival will celebrate its tenth birthday in 2009, and one local writer and journalist is getting ready to appear in Saffron Walden. The fun kicks off on March 13 when Andrew Brown will be at Saffron Walden Library, King Street. He will be

THE Essex Book Festival will celebrate its tenth birthday in 2009, and one local writer and journalist is getting ready to appear in Saffron Walden.

The fun kicks off on March 13 when Andrew Brown will be at Saffron Walden Library, King Street.

He will be discussing his novel, Fishing in Utopia, which recalls his experiences in Sweden, both as a child and as a young married man.

The event begins at 8pm, tickets cost £4/£3.

The festival, which promises to be bigger and better this year, is managed by Essex County Council Libraries and can boast Germaine Greer, Francis Wheen, Barbara Erskine and Sylvia Kent as patrons.

Big names taking part this year include broadcaster Joan Bakewell, author Louis de Bernieres, Lovejoy author Jonathan Gash and politician and journalist Roy Hattersley and popular historian Alison Weir.

Cllr David Finch, Essex County Council cabinet member for adults, health and community wellbeing, said: "The Essex Book Festival has surpassed itself yet again. The line up for 2009 is spectacular, as befits the tenth anniversary year, and the marvellous reputation of the event has meant, once again, we will be graced by a number of very well-known and inspiring writers.

"But it is not just the big names we attract that make this festival unique. It is the involvement with local writing and book groups across the county and the way the content spans such a wide and diverse area. This really is a treat for book lovers, whatever their interests, and I have no doubt that tickets will once again sell out fast."

Tickets for all events can be bought from the box office from Monday (January 5) by calling 01206 573948, or by visiting www.essexbookfestival.org.uk.

For general enquiries about the festival, email answers.direct@essex.gov.uk or call 0845 603 7628.

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